THE SOCCER REPORT
Soccer Recap: Monterrey back at the top of Liga MX mountain, Zlatan returns to Milan
Dec 31, 2019, 6:00 am
Monterrey fans are celebrating the club's 5th Liga MX title, one month after seeing them play Club America in a friendly at BBVA Stadium in Houston.
As the calendar year comes to a close, European leagues have hit their midseason point while Mexican soccer crowned a new champion.
Liga MX Apertura 2019 Final
After a 2-1 Monterrey win in the first leg, a 2-1 win by Club America in the second leg sent the Liga MX final to extra time and penalties. It was in the penalty shootout that "Rayados" outlasted America, 4-2, to capture their fifth league title.
The win caps off a rollercoaster season where Monterrey fired their manager midseason, rehired former manager Antonio Mohamed (who has now won his third Liga MX title with as many teams as a Manager) and captured the final playoff spot to win the title. In the middle of their playoff run, Monterrey played Liverpool to a 2-1 defeat that could've easily gone their way in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Clausura 2020 season kicks off on January 10.
English Premier League
The Premier League had the spotlight on them twice this week with the Boxing Day tradition gifting fans matches after Christmas. At the forefront of the PL talk was VAR (video assistant referee) decisions due to a number of goals being called back.
Top six: 1. Liverpool (55), 2. Leicester City (42), 3. Man City (41), 4. Chelsea (35), 5. Manchester Utd (31), 6. Tottenham (30)
Bottom three (relegation): 18. Aston Villa (18), 19. Watford (16), 20. Norwich City (13)
Scoring leader: 17 - Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Assists leader: 12 - Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)
Scottish Premier League
A second-half Nikola Katić goal gave Rangers a first win at Celtic Park in 9 years, making it a two points difference in the title race.
Top three: 1. Celtic (52), 2. Rangers (50), 3. Motherwell (37)
Bottom two (relegation): 11. Hamilton (18), 12. Hearts (13)
Scoring leader: 13 - Odsonne Edouard (Celtic)
Assists leader: 9 - James Forrest (Celtic)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns to A.C. Milan
#IZBACK 🔙🔴⚫ Read the story of how football has been Zlatan'ed in our focus on @Ibra_official 👉🏻… https://t.co/F7LtQl08mj— AC Milan (@AC Milan) 1577528163.0
One of the bigger news over the Christmas break was the announcement of Zlatan Ibrahimovic returning to Serie A with A.C. Milan. The Rossoneri are currently 11th in the standings, 14 points removed from fourth place and a Champions League spot that used to be a given for the seven time European champions.
MLS offseason
Welcome, @AlonsoDT! The Uruguayan becomes first ever coach of #InterMiamiCF, and is the only coach to win the Con… https://t.co/f2Zay3p7vF— Inter Miami CF (@Inter Miami CF) 1577722283.0
David Beckham's Miami expansion club announced the signing of Uruguayan manager Diego Alonso. The 44-year-old enjoyed success in Liga MX by guiding Pachuca to the Clausura 2016 title, the 2016-17 Concacaf Champions League title and a 3rd place finish at the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup. He guided Monterrey to Concacaf Champions League crown earlier this year before being fired midway through the Apertura 2019 season.
Houston Dynamo sign two players
Sources tell me that midfielder @marcelopalo has come to terms with @HoustonDynamo . The former Dynamo Academy play… https://t.co/DW28jtSuIy— Glenn Davis (@Glenn Davis) 1577712104.0
The Houston Dynamo are reportedly about to announce the signings of former Dynamo Academy and youth U.S. National Team midfielder Marcelo Palomino and young European goalkeeper Marko Maric.
TV listings (All Times CT):
Wednesday, January 1
6:30 a.m. - [Premier League] Brighton vs. Chelsea (NBC Sports)
9:00 a.m. - [Premier League] Southampton vs. Tottenham (NBC Sports)
11:30 a.m. - [Premier League] Manchester City vs. Everton (NBC Sports)
2:00 p.m. - [Premier League] Arsenal vs. Manchester United (NBC Sports, Universo)
Thursday, January 2
2:00 p.m. - [Premier League] Liverpool vs. Sheffield United (NBC Sports, Universo)
Friday, January 3
12:00 p.m. - [La Liga] Valladolid vs. Leganes (beIN Sports)
2:00 p.m. - [La Liga] Sevilla vs. Athletic Bilbao (beIN Sports)
Saturday, January 4
6:30 a.m. - [FA Cup] Rochdale vs. Newcastle (ESPN+)
9:00 a.m. - [FA Cup] Fulham vs. Aston Villa (ESPN+)
9:00 a.m. - [La Liga] Getafe vs. Real Madrid (beIN Sports)
11:30 a.m. - [FA Cup] Wolves vs. Man United (ESPN+)
11:30 a.m. - [FA Cup] Leicester vs. Wigan (ESPN+)
11:30 a.m. - [FA Cup] Manchester City vs. Port Vale (ESPN+)
11:30 a.m. - [La Liga] Atletico Madrid vs. Levante (beIN Sports)
2:00 p.m. - [La Liga] Espanyol vs. Barcelona (beIN Sports)
Sunday, January 5
8:00 a.m. - [FA Cup] Middlesbrough vs. Tottenham (ESPN+)
8:00 a.m. - [FA Cup] Crystal Palace vs. Derby (ESPN+)
8:00 a.m. - [FA Cup] Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest (ESPN+)
10:00 a.m. - [FA Cup] Liverpool vs. Everton (ESPN+)
12:15 p.m. - [FA Cup] Gillingham vs. West Ham (ESPN+)
1:30 p.m. - [Serie A] Roma vs. Torino (ESPNews, ESPN Deportes)
Monday, January 6
8:00 a.m. - [Serie A] AC Milan vs. Sampdoria (ESPN+)
8:00 a.m. - [Serie A] Juventus vs. Cagliari (ESPN+)
1:45 p.m. - [Serie A] Napoli vs. Inter (ESPN+)
2:00 p.m. - [FA Cup] Arsenal vs. Leeds United (ESPN+)
2:00 p.m. - [Coupe de France] Linas Montlhery vs. PSG (beIN Sports)Most Popular
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When the Texans take the field against KC this Saturday, there's a lot more on the line than just playoff seating. The Texans have several things to prove this week against the NFL's elite.
For instance, the Texans haven't beaten a quality team on the road all season, with communication issues on the offensive line often causing problems. If Houston wants to be a legit contender, they have to show they can play with the big boys on the road.
Speaking of which, despite already locking up their division, the Texans typically don't crack the Top 10 in power rankings. They are very much viewed as a team that's good enough to win a weak division, and nothing more.
A win over Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs would make a statement. That would mean the Texans would have beaten both Mahomes and MVP favorite Josh Allen in the same season.
And let's face it, these are the types of teams the Texans will have to defeat in the postseason if they want to contend for a conference championship.
*Don't miss the video above as the crew from Texans on Tap breaks it all down!
Game Preview: Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Texans passing offense
C.J. Stroud continues to impress with his ability to make big plays, particularly on scramble drills and broken plays. However, consistent pressure has been an issue, with Stroud taking four sacks last week against the Dolphins. This marks the seventh time this season he’s been sacked four or more times. Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones, known for his elite disruptive ability, could create significant problems.
Texans run game
Running back Joe Mixon started the season strong, rushing for over 100 yards in five of his first six games. However, his recent performances have been less effective, with fewer than 47 rushing yards in three of his last five outings. Mixon was held to just 26 yards on the ground against the Dolphins, which raises questions about his ability to bounce back against a Chiefs defense that has been dominant lately.
Chiefs defense
Kansas City's defense has been on a tear, holding opponents to under 18 points in three straight games. Last week, they recorded four interceptions, five sacks, and 11 QB hits against the Browns. While the Chiefs’ secondary has been opportunistic, their pass rush could be the deciding factor, particularly if they exploit Houston's shaky pass protection.
Texans defense
The Texans’ defense has been solid in recent weeks, holding opponents to under 21 points in three of their last four games. They'll need to keep that momentum going against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense. While Kansas City allowed no sacks last week, they faced significant pressure, something Houston will need to replicate to disrupt Mahomes' rhythm.
What does Vegas think?
The Chiefs are favored by 3.5 and the total is set at 42 points.
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